2011 Values Voter Summit: Ron Paul, Romney, Mormonism

Presidential Candidate Ron Paul (R-TX) reigned in another straw poll victory this weekend at the 2011 Values Voter Summit, as he earned 37% of the vote over Cain’s 23% and Santorum’s 16%. Ironically, Paul, who opposes government regulation in areas such as drugs and prostitution, won victory at a conference of voters with values. Of those who voted, nearly 30% registered the morning of Paul’s speech, many of them as students. Paul delivered his typical anti-war, pro-family, anti-central bank, anti-government speech. Throughout the speech he continued to frequently reference the Bible and his personal relationship with Christ. Another controversy occurred as Dallas Pastor Robert Jeffress endorsed Rick Perry over Mitt Romney on the ethical question of Christians voting for Mormons (or non-Christians).

As a Christian voter who attended the conference myself, values are important to me. After a President leaves office, he leaves behind his policies informed by his values. That reason is also why it is also important for Christians to have an understanding not only if a candidate has faith, but also how that person’s faith informs their policies – the result of their faith. As Paul quotes 1 Samuel and wants to conduct foreign policy according to the golden rule, is that really the intention God had when He instituted government among men? What about when God led Joshua in countless victories in His military campaigns in conquest of the land of Canaan in order to fulfill God’s covenant with His people? What about Romans 12-13 where governing authorities are servants of God as avengers who “bear the sword” and carry out God’s wrath and vengeance? Or what about in Matthew 10 when Jesus himself said that he came not to bring peace, but a sword? Is Paul departing from the Truth? How can Paul protect the families and liberty he claims to value by liberating restraints against evil and depleting the moral and biblical authority for Government to bear the sword? For Ron Paul, morality comes from our “families” and our “neighbors.” However, those are merely means for the moral values that come to us from God Himself as revealed through the Bible and natural law.